-The ‘59 White was pulled quickly after so few models?
- The ‘60s red paint crumble or zinc rot?
I have heard the stories of the metal rot on the red '60. I just looked at mine and there is no evidence of diecast problem. There is a very small amount of paint rash on one of the doors but noting overwhelming. Some folks may not have liked the sun roof and accompanying roof chrome trim and the model did not sell as well as the previous iterations. I believe the issue on the '59 was that there were nicer looking color choices available. So the addition of the white version was not as popular to anyone other than a diecast collector.
Other two '59's:
Tony I heard that the bronze '59 LE didn't sell as quickly as anticipated. I believe the factory ran these in lots of 250 so for the final 500 they switched to white explaining why they are very rare. Again, I just remember reading this so I don't know. DM had a contract with the factory for 5000 '59 LE coupes so to fulfill their end of the deal they ran the final 500 with the white color change. I like the white coupe but then again I like all square birds. Like you, my red '60 shows no signs of a diecast problem.
I have three DM 'birds: the Colonial White '56, the Tahitian Bronze '59 coupe and the Adriatic Green '60 convertible. I also have four FM '56 'birds. I suppose that's sufficient for me to qualify as a genuine diecast 'birdbrain. 😉
-The ‘59 White was pulled quickly after so few models?
- The ‘60s red paint crumble or zinc rot?
I have heard the stories of the metal rot on the red '60. I just looked at mine and there is no evidence of diecast problem. There is a very small amount of paint rash on one of the doors but noting overwhelming. Some folks may not have liked the sun roof and accompanying roof chrome trim and the model did not sell as well as the previous iterations. I believe the issue on the '59 was that there were nicer looking color choices available. So the addition of the white version was not as popular to anyone other than a diecast collector.
Other two '59's:
Tony I heard that the bronze '59 LE didn't sell as quickly as anticipated. I believe the factory ran these in lots of 250 so for the final 500 they switched to white explaining why they are very rare. Again, I just remember reading this so I don't know. DM had a contract with the factory for 5000 '59 LE coupes so to fulfill their end of the deal they ran the final 500 with the white color change. I like the white coupe but then again I like all square birds. Like you, my red '60 shows no signs of a diecast problem.
Allan, thank you for the addition of this info - I believe you are 100% correct sir!
@bob-jackman - I agree. The '62 was close but not quite the same as the '63. Among other differences, the front wheelwell was one glaring difference in the design.
Yes Marty. The sculpture on the front fenders that carried back into the doors was a hint of the styling cues that were to come in the 64-66 Birds. Nice to see that personalized license plate again.
@geoff-jowett Thankyou I don't have a 57 and the lists and reviews are still difficult to navigate.. It was the 65 diamond blue TBird that started me collecting..
@geoff-jowett Thankyou I don't have a 57 and the lists and reviews are still difficult to navigate.. It was the 65 diamond blue TBird that started me collecting..
The 65 is one of my favorites Greg, incredible interior.
+1 !
